A cheesecake recipe inspired by the nation’s best-loved summer cocktail – a G&T. There’s a zingy layer of gin and tonic-flavoured jelly on top of a creamy mascarpone middle and a biscuit base – it’s the summer dessert dreams are made of. If you prefer the real thing, check out my post Gin Cocktails for a variety of tasty cocktail recipes.Continue reading G&T Cheesecake

Finding out how to utilise tamarillos when in season is worth doing! Tamarillo, also known as tree tomatoes, can grow to about two meters tall with clusters of fruit that slowly ripen to a deep red. The taste can be described as “unusual and interesting – even as “an acquired taste”. See the image below. The unique tropical flavour which reminds of a mix between passion fruit and guava and a hint of other fruits, turns a cheesecake into a sublime dessert or tea time treat. Continue reading Tamarillo Cheesecake

According to Annelien Pienaar she makes this dessert when she wants to treat herself. It is not overly sweet or too heavy after a big meal. It will also be a hit on a cake table. The recipe is suitable for individual portions as well. This recipe is from Annelien’s first recipe book, Boerekos met ‘n twist. We hope their will be many more! Read more about this amazing book here.

Olive oil is not exactly an ingredient that one usually finds in ice cream, but this recipe is definitely worth a try! You can taste the olive oil without it being overpowering and it is complimented very well with the flavour of the orange. This ice cream is neither too rich or sweet.

Beat the sugar and egg yolks in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer for about 3 to 4 minutes or until the mixture is pale yellow and creamy.

Continue to beat while slowly adding your oil. Mix for a few more minutes until the mixture is smooth and airy.

Add the milk, cream, vanilla paste and orange or lemon zest and beat until combined. Note: if you used a zester to remove the zest from the citrus, you will need to chop it finely before adding it to the mixture.

If using an ice cream machine, pour the mixture into the bowl of the ice cream machine and follow your manufacturer instructions to make the ice cream.

If you don’t have an ice cream machine, simply transfer the mixture to a container with a lid, i.e. Tupperware or an old ice cream container and freeze for two to three hours.

Remove the ice-cream from the freezer at least 30 minutes before you want to serve it to soften.

Garnish with mint and orange segments.

Variations

Replace some of the milk with orange or lemon juice (you will need to use less sugar when using orange juice and more sugar if using lemon juice).

Flan, also known as Crème Caramel, is a traditional Mexican dessert. It is creamy custard topped with caramel sauce, dates back to the Roman empire and was often made to use up extra milk and eggs. Flan can be made in individual serving dishes, or in one large dish and then sliced it into the desired portions sizes. Also known as Flan,

Grease 6 ovenproof glass moulds with 125 to 200 ml capacity with butter or non-stick cooking spray and have them prepared when caramel is ready and needs quick action.

Preheat the oven to 160°C.

Place the sugar and water for the caramel into a small saucepan and heat gently, without stirring, until the sugar dissolves and forms a syrup. Turn up the heat slightly and simmer just until the syrup turns golden brown.

Pour the syrup into the moulds, tilt each mould to allow the syrup to coat the base and part of the sides of each mould evenly.Heat the milk to just below boiling point and stir in the castor sugar to melt.

Beat theeggs, egg yolks, vanilla and salt until combined and add and beat in the warm milk.

Strain the mixture into a jug and divide between the prepared moulds. Stand the moulds in a suitable pan and fill the pan with hot water to come halfway up the sides of the moulds.

Place in the oven and bake about 20 minutes or until set and golden on top.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Refrigerate until quite cold before inverting onto individual serving plates or a large platter.

Decorate each crème caramel with a small rosette of whipped cream just before serving.

6 servings.

Note

To store in the refrigerator, place the moulds into a plastic container and seal to prevent the delicately flavoured custard from absorbing odours.

To make classic crème caramel for special occasions, use half milk and half cream. Heat the milk and beat the cream with the eggs. Continue as explained above.

Recipe by Carolié de Koster from the Art Of Cooking recipe book p. 750.

Panna cotta, which means ‘cooked cream’ in Italian, is an Italian dessert of sweetened cream thickened with gelatin and usually moulded. The cream may be flavoured with vanilla, coffee, rum, etc. Although the name does not sound appetizing at all, panna cotta is silky smooth with a melt-in-the-mouth texture and is as close to perfection as it gets! Panna Cotta is the perfect dessert for any occasion — whether you’re throwing a fancy party or a small one. The fact that it can be made ahead of time, is a big plus. Panna Cotta is gluten-free and egg-free and can easily be adapted to be dairy-free, vegan, etc. You can also adjust the sweetness to your liking by using less or more sugar or by substituting the sugar with xylitol, honey, etc. It can even be sweetenend with nothing but fruit puree. It is easy, quick, practically foolproof, and an overall crowd pleaser. Please see the tips below.

For equally tasty but lower-fat versions of this delectable dessert, have a look at Low-fat Panna Cotta where there is a coffee-flavoured variation as well. Also see the photo of the layered plain and coffee Panna Cotta below. It was created by angling the glass and making and setting the coffee-flavoured Panna Cotta before adding the plain Panna Cotta.

Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water in a measuring jug and let stand 5 to 10 minutes until it “blooms” — the gelatin grains will swell and look like they’ve absorbed some liquid.

Heat the cream and sugar in a saucepan on the stove. Once the sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and food colour if used.

Lightly oil dariole or silicone moulds with a neutral-tasting oil. Set it aside.

Pour the warm Panna Cotta mixture over the gelatin and stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.

Divide the Panna Cotta mixture between the prepared cups or moulds, then set aside to cool before covering each cup or mould with cling wrap.

Refrigerate for at least four hours to allow enough time to set completely.

Run a knife around the edge of each Panna Cotta if using Dariole moulds or unmould from a silicon mould following the instructions below.

Transfer the Panna Cotta’s to individual plates or a large serving platter and garnish as desired.

8 servings.

Notes
For a vegan-friendly version, just use a vegan friendly substitute for the gelatine.

Notes

If pressed for time, rather pour the Panna Cotta mixture into wine goblets so you can serve them in the glasses, without unmolding.

The more shallow the dish, the faster the pudding will set.

If using a tray mould e.g. 8 x 60 ml or small mould, e.g. 1 x 150 ml, place the mould on a baking tray before pouring the liquid into the mould.

If using a large mould, e.g. ring mould or heart-shaped mould, place the mould on a baking tray before pouring in the liquid to make it easy to move.

To unmould desserts like jelly, pannacotta, etc., lower the mould into a basin with hot water for a few seconds to make unmoulding easier. Also, rinse the serving plate under water before unmoulding. This will make it easier to reposition individual desserts if necessary. Place the serving plate on top of the mould and flip over. Gently move the edges of the mould to break the vacuum.

Coulis is the French word for “strained liquid” and refers to a thick sauce made from puréed and strained vegetables or fruits. Coulis can be sweet or savory, depending on what it is meant to accompany. The base of coulis is a fruit or vegetable. Fruits are generally used uncooked, while vegetables may be roasted, blackened, or simmered so that they soften. The base is pureed so that it is creamy and smooth, and then it is usually seasoned. After seasoning, the coulis may be strained to remove things like seeds or chunks of skin. The sauce may be artfully drizzled on a plate, or pooled next to the food. When fresh fruits are abundant, turn them into sauces. Do not add too much sugar or water at the onset of cooking. Add sugar at the end as necessary for the type and acidity of the fruit used. The moisture in the fruit will create a sauce when cooked. Wash and prepare the fruit as is appropriate and cut up before making the sauce.

Authentic Italian pannacotta is quite high in fat and kilojoules, but in this lighter version some of the cream is replaced by milk, making it a viable dessert option for those following a low-fat lifestyle. It is just as tasty though! Serve as is or with a fruit or chocolate sauce for a dreamy dessert. Scroll down for the recipe for Coffee Panna Cotta.

Place the milk into a saucepan with the cinnamon stick or lemon peel and bring to boil. Remove from heat as soon as it boils and stir in the sugar.

Place the gelatine into a 500 ml ovenproof bowl or jug and cover with the water. Microwave on MEDIUM for 30 seconds – 1 minute or stand over the steam of simmering water until melted.

Stir the gelatine into the hot milk, remove the cinnamon stick or lemon peel and pour into a bowl to cool.

Stand the bowl in a basin with water and ice or refrigerate until the mixture just starts to set at the sides. Stir gently from time to time until softly set.

Beat the cream until stiff and beat it into the partly set milk mixture until evenly blended.

Pour into 6 to 8 ramekin dishes into stemmed bowls or glasses, ready for serving.

Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving from the stemmed bowls or glasses or loosen the sides and carefully turn out the moulded desserts onto a large platter or individual plates.

To prepare the chocolate drizzle, melt 50 g dark chocolate with 2 Tbsp (30 ml) of cream in the microwave on Medium for 30 seconds or until the chocolate has softened. Mix well with a teaspoon to create a glaze and use to garnish the serving plates or drizzle over the Pannacotta.

Place the cream, milk and sugar into a saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Place the gelatine into a 500 ml ovenproof jug or bowl and add the coffee or water and the instant coffee granules. Microwave on MEDIUM for 30 seconds – 1 minute or stand over the steam of simmering water until melted.

Add the gelatine and liqueur to the cream and mix well until evenly blended. Pour the mixture into individual small or one large bowl to set.

Garnish with the cream and/or chocolate drizzle or chocolates.

Recipes by Carolié de Koster.

Variations

To add texture and flavour a chopped or flaked chocolate bar may be used instead of the fruit sauce. Make the stemmed bowls or glasses half full with the cream mixture and spinkle half of the chocolate over the cream before adding the remaining cream and chocolate.

Make a gorgeous layered dessert (twice as much in the end!) by using Coffee Panna Cotta and allowing it to set before covering with chopped or flaked chocolate bar and plain pannacotta. Allow to set completely and decorate with more chocolate or as desired. See a photo of this here.

Notes

Cover well and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

This dessert is excellent to make for many. The dessert may be moulded in small individual bowls or moulds or in large moulds or decorative dessert bowls.

If you plan to unmould the pannacotta, refrigerate for 6 to 12 hours before unmoulding.

Whip the chilled coconut cream for about 5 minutes or until it becomes full of air and holds it shape – it will not become as stiff as ordinary cream.

Beat the egg white until stiff and gradually beat in the sugar to form a stiff meringue. Sprinkle the chia seeds, vanilla, spices and salt over the egg white and add the whipped coconut cream.

Fold together gently until evenly combined and pour into a suitable container to freeze. Sprinkle the extra seeds over the top, seal airtight and freeze overnight or for at least 6 hours before serving.

Tiramisu means “pick me up” and is a popular coffee-flavored Italian dessert. It is made of ladyfingers or Boudoir Biscuits dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, flavoured with cocoa. Countless variations of Tiramisu exist. (see variations below). Marsala wine can be added to the recipe, but other liquors are frequently substituted for it including dark rum, Madeira, port, brandy, Malibu, or Irish Cream and especially coffee flavored liqueurs such as Tia Maria and Kahlua.

Arrange the biscuits on the base of the dish, trimming the biscuits to fit snugly into the dish. Pour the cooled coffee mixture evenly over the biscuits.

Beat the egg yolks and castor sugar very well until extremely light and pale yellow. Add the cheese and vanilla and beat until the mixture thickens to the consistency of whipped cream.

Pour the mixture over the biscuits, spread evenly and cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.

Sift an even thin layer of cocoa decoratively over the top of the dessert and cut into squares.

Place on serving plates and garnish as preferred.

10 to 12 servings.

Variations
Tiramisu in bowls – to serve elegantly, cut the biscuits into smaller sections, soak in the coffee mixture and divide between 12 small glass bowls or stemmed glasses. Our the cheese mixture over the biscuits, cover and refrigerate for at least 3 to 4 hours. Dust lightly with cocoa and garnish as preferred just before serving.

Moulded Tiramisu cake – To make a moulded cake or dessert which may be sliced neatly into wedges, dip the biscuits in the coffee mixture and cut and arrange the biscuits into a large, round, springform cake tin (about 28 mm in diameter), lined with baking paper. A 28 mm pie dish can also be used. Cover 15 ml gelatine powder with 60 ml water and microwave on Medium for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until melted. Stir 30 ml of the cheese into the gelatine, mix well and add to the egg mixture with the rest of the cheese. Complete as explained above and refrigerate for at least 3 to 4 hours before slicing and serving with garnishes as preferred.

Recipe by Carolié de Koster from the Art Of Cooking Recipe Book p. 518.

This recipe is a simplified and healthier version of the ever-popular classic French dessert, Mousse au Chocolat. In her book “From Julia Child’s Kitchen“, Julia introduces chocolate mousse as follows: “It’s a sin, wickedly rich and fattening, but every spoonful is glory …”. I had a look at Julia’s chocolate mousse recipe but decided that it is too labour intensive and too high in fat! Carolié’s version can be whipped up in a few minutes and it can be enjoyed on occasion as part of a healthy lifestyle.